Emmitsburg, Md. (May 8, 2008)--The NCAA released publicly their latest Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores through the 2006-07 school year with Mount St. Mary’s University having all 19 of its varsity sports above the acceptable range. The Mount had two teams, baseball and women’s tennis, honored by the NCAA for being in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports.

“At Mount St. Mary’s University, the ideal Division I athlete is accomplished in academics as well as athletics,” said Mount St. Mary’s President Dr. Thomas H. Powell. “We pride ourselves on our reputation for building character and values through faith; resulting in a talented, well-educated, well-rounded leader for the future.”

Thirteen of the Mount’s 19 sports ranked above the national average with the women’s tennis team posting a perfect score of 1000 to rank in the 90-100^th percentile for women’s tennis. Baseball also ranked in the top 10 percent of all Division I baseball teams while the Mount’s men’s soccer and women’s golf teams were ranked in the 80-90^th percentile.

The 2008 Academic Progress Rate, which is based on NCAA Division I data submitted by member institutions for the 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, and 2006-07 academic years, represents a real-time assessment of each team's academic performance. The APR is the foundation of the NCAA’s Academic Reform initiative which member colleges and universities have adopted to improve the academic success and graduation rates of all student-athletes.

“We congratulate our teams and our student-athletes who work hard in their sports while excelling in the classroom,” said Lynne Robinson, Director of Athletics. “Once again, our student-athletes have shown that they are students first.”

APR scores per institution, along with penalties per school and teams receiving public recognition, are available online at ncaa.org.